Drinking vessel with integrated magnetic holder

Abstract

A drinking vessel (1) has a magnetic holder (10) embedded in a vessel wall (2) of the drinking vessel (1). The magnetic holder (10) is designed to exert an attractive force on a drinking straw (12) and to hold the drinking straw (12) in a fixed position against an inner surface of the vessel wall (2). This prevents the drinking straw (12) from moving uncontrollably during use when a person brings the drinking vessel (1) with the drinking straw (12) to their mouth.

Description

[0001] The technology described here generally relates to a vessel from which a person can consume a liquid. Exemplary embodiments of the technology relate in particular to a vessel that is also suitable for people with physical and / or mental disabilities.

[0002] Glasses, cups, and mugs are common containers that hold liquids and from which people can consume them. A liquid is defined as a substance that is liquid (especially beverages), viscous, or of a similar consistency at room temperature (e.g., a mixture of liquids and solids, soup, porridge, pureed food, or a smoothie). Such containers can be specially designed to allow people with physical and / or mental disabilities (these can be adults, adolescents, or young children) to use them independently or with assistance from caregivers. For example, the handle of a drinking cup can be designed to allow for a secure grip, such as by having an opening for multiple fingers.In addition, so-called spout cups or beakers are known, which have a beak-like mouthpiece that can be formed on the upper rim of the vessel or integrated into a spout attachment.

[0003] Although such specially designed vessels facilitate drinking and eating for one group of people with physical and / or mental disabilities, they may be unsuitable or less suitable for another group. A spouted cup, for example, requires the person to tilt their head back and make a corresponding tongue movement. Furthermore, such vessels are immediately recognizable as "assistive devices" and may be more difficult to clean (e.g., a spout attachment). Therefore, there is a need for a vessel technology that is suitable and user-friendly for multiple groups of people.

[0004] One aspect therefore concerns a drinking vessel with a base and a wall that extends from the base towards the rim and has an inside and an outside. A plane spanned by the rim defines an interior space between the base and the wall. The drinking vessel also has a magnetic holder embedded in the wall, designed to attract a drinking straw and hold it in a fixed position against the inside of the wall. Another aspect concerns a set consisting of such a drinking vessel and a drinking straw.

[0005] The technology described here creates a drinking vessel or set that holds the straw securely in place on the inside of the vessel wall. This better protects the straw from tipping sideways, twisting, or other uncontrolled movements. People with or without any of the aforementioned limitations can use the drinking vessel with a straw more comfortably because the straw is held in place by the magnetic holder and doesn't need to be fumbled for with their mouth. The magnetic force is designed to hold the straw securely, yet allow it to be released with relatively little effort.

[0006] In one embodiment, the magnetic holder is embedded in the vessel wall in such a way that the magnetic holder is covered by material on the inside, and an inner surface area of ​​the embedding transitions substantially flush with the inside. The drinking straw therefore rests in substantial contact with the (smooth) inside of the vessel wall. Because of the embedding, the magnetic holder does not impede cleaning, allowing the drinking vessel to be cleaned as usual.

[0007] On the outside of the vessel wall, such an internal embedding can be optional. Therefore, there is design freedom with regard to the exterior. In one embodiment, the magnetic holder is embedded in the vessel wall in such a way that the magnetic holder or an outer surface area of ​​the embedding protrudes from the outside, e.g., as a bulge. This makes the magnetic holder visible on the outside; thus, it is also clear that the drinking vessel is suitable for the described use with the drinking straw. This visibility can also facilitate the positioning of the drinking straw on the outside (e.g., when storing the drinking vessel together with the straw) or on the inside (e.g., during use or storage).

[0008] In one embodiment, a marking is provided on the outer surface of the vessel wall to indicate the location of the magnetic holder. This marking also ensures the magnetic holder is easily identifiable. The marking can be applied in conjunction with the aforementioned bulge or with a smooth outer surface of the vessel wall.

[0009] In one embodiment, the smooth outer wall of the vessel is formed when the magnetic holder is completely embedded in the vessel wall, with the magnetic holder having a thickness less than the thickness of the vessel wall. Surface areas of the embedded magnetic holder essentially merge seamlessly into the inner and / or outer surface. The embedded magnetic holder may therefore be indistinguishable from the outside; this may be desirable, for example, for aesthetic reasons, so that the drinking vessel is not recognizable as an "aid."

[0010] There is freedom in the design of the magnetic holder; the design can, for example, depend on the height of the drinking vessel. In one embodiment, the magnetic holder comprises at least two individual magnets, spaced apart from each other and embedded in the vessel wall along a substantially straight line. This line can be perpendicular to the defined plane, so that the drinking straw is held substantially perpendicular to the plane within the drinking vessel. In another embodiment, the magnetic holder comprises a bar magnet with a length and a width, where the length is greater than the width. Its longitudinal axis can also be perpendicular to the defined plane.

[0011] In one embodiment, the inner wall of the container has an elongated recess that extends substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the rim of the container and between the interior and the magnetic holder. The elongated recess is located in the same area as the magnetic holder. In one embodiment, the elongated recess is a groove. The elongated recess contributes to the positioning and stabilization of the drinking straw; for this purpose, it can be adapted to the shape of the straw, for example, an arc-shaped cross-section if the straw has a circular cross-section. The elongated recess also indicates the position of the magnetic holder. If such an elongated recess is provided, the magnetic holder can be positioned at a selectable location along the recess; the magnetic holder can have a single magnet or several individual magnets.

[0012] In one embodiment, the base of the vessel has an inner surface adjacent to the interior, with the inner surface having its lowest point in an area below the magnetic holder. The inner surface can be a substantially flat surface inclined towards the magnetic holder. This is the area where one end of the drinking straw can be positioned, particularly when there is only a small amount of liquid left in the vessel and it collects at or near the lowest point.

[0013] In one embodiment, the aforementioned set includes a drinking straw made of a magnetizable and corrosion-resistant material. The material is food-safe and has no harmful, odorous, or taste-related effect on food.

[0014] The following section explains various aspects of the technology in more detail using exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the figures. In the figures, identical elements have the same reference numerals. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a side view of a first embodiment of a drinking vessel; Fig. 2 a schematic side view of a section along the Fig. 1 section axis AA shown; Fig. 3 a schematic top view of the in Fig. 1 shown drinking vessel; Fig. 4 a schematic perspective representation of the in Fig. 1 Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a side view of a second embodiment of a drinking vessel; Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a side view of a third embodiment of a drinking vessel; Fig. 7 a schematic perspective representation of a fourth embodiment of a drinking vessel; and Fig. 8 a top view of an edge region of an embodiment of a drinking vessel.

[0015] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a side view of an embodiment of a drinking vessel 1; further schematic views of this drinking vessel 1 are shown in Figure 2. Fig. 2, Fig. 3 und Fig. 4 shown. The drinking vessel 1 can be a drinking glass, a drinking cup, or a drinking mug, each with or without a handle 8. The drinking vessel 1 can be made of a material suitable for human use and for contact with food. The material can be, for example, plastic, ceramic, porcelain, metal, bamboo, glass, or wood. In Fig. 1 Drinking vessel 1 is shown as an example in the form of a drinking cup.

[0016] The drinking vessel 1 has an interior space 14 for holding a liquid. The interior space 14 is formed by a vessel base 4 and a vessel wall 2, which extends upwards from the vessel base towards a vessel rim 16. A plane spanned by the vessel rim 16 defines the interior space 14. A handle 8 may be arranged on the vessel wall 2; for example, in Fig. 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 8 is arranged on the left side of the vessel wall 2. The interior 14 is open at the vessel rim 16, so that liquid can be poured into or removed from the interior 14.

[0017] In the Fig. 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the vessel wall 2 and thus also the interior 14 are cylindrical, while the vessel base 4 is circular. In another embodiment, the vessel wall 2 can have a different shape, for example, a funnel or chalice shape widening towards the vessel rim 16 with a straight or curved upward slope. The vessel base 4 can be adapted accordingly, for example, circular, rectangular, oval, or similar.

[0018] The drinking vessel 1 has a magnetic holder 10 designed to hold a drinking straw 12, particularly in a fixed position. The magnetic holder 10 comprises at least one permanent magnet (e.g., a neodymium magnet), and the drinking straw 12 is made of a magnetizable material that is attracted to the permanent magnet and is suitable for food use, in particular a corrosion-resistant or low-corrosion material, for example, chromium steel or a carrier material that is chromium-plated or embedded in the magnetizable material.

[0019] The magnetic holder 10 is embedded in the vessel wall 2. The magnetic holder 10 and its embedding in the vessel wall 2 are designed such that the drinking straw 12 is attracted and held in the defined position on the inside of the vessel wall 2, as shown in Fig. 1 The attachment is indicated, but can still be released with relatively little force. For example, a caregiver can position the drinking straw 12 on the magnetic holder 10 before or after pouring in the liquid, so that the drinking straw 12 reaches, for example, to the bottom of the container 4 and any curved mouthpiece of the drinking straw 12 points towards the person being cared for.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of a section along the in Fig. 1 The section axis AA shown runs centrally through the drinking straw 12 and the interior 14. In the Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the magnetic holder 10 comprises two individual magnets 10, each embedded in the vessel wall 2 at a distance from the other. The two individual magnets 10 are embedded in the vessel wall 2 along a straight line that is substantially parallel to the vessel wall 2. One (lower) individual magnet 10 is embedded near the base 4 of the vessel, and one (upper) individual magnet 10 is embedded near the rim 16 of the vessel; this secures the drinking straw 12, in particular against tipping or twisting sideways.

[0021] Such securing of the drinking straw 12 can also be achieved by more than two individual magnets 10, as is the case, for example, in the Fig. 5 The illustrated embodiment of the drinking vessel 2 is shown. Fig. 5 Three individual magnets 10 are also embedded in the vessel wall 2 along an essentially straight line. This is also the case in Fig. 6 The illustrated embodiment of the drinking vessel 2 enables such a securing mechanism; the magnetic holder 10 comprises an elongated single magnet having a length and a width, the length being greater than the width. The length extends, for example, from near the base 4 of the vessel to near the rim 16. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the length can also be shorter, as long as the desired securing effect is achieved.

[0022] In one embodiment, the securing of the drinking straw 12 can be supported by an elongated recess in the vessel wall 2, as is the case, for example, in Fig. 2 indicated and in Fig. 8 shown in an enlarged view. In Fig. 8 The figure shows that the vessel wall 2 has an elongated recess 18 on its inner surface, which extends substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the vessel rim 16 and between the interior and the magnetic holder 10. The elongated recess 18 is located in the same area as the magnetic holder 18. In one embodiment, the elongated recess 18 is a groove. The elongated recess 18 contributes to the positioning and stabilization of the drinking straw 12; for this purpose, it can be adapted to the shape of the drinking straw 12, for example, having a circular arc cross-section if the drinking straw 12 has a circular cross-section. The elongated recess 18 also indicates the position of the magnetic holder 10. If such an elongated recess 18 is provided, the magnetic holder 10 can be positioned at a selectable location along the recess 18.In this embodiment, the magnetic holder 10 can have a single magnet or several individual magnets.

[0023] In Fig. 2 It is also evident that in one embodiment, the magnetic holder 10 is essentially completely embedded in the vessel wall 2. The magnetic holder 10 is thinner than the thickness of the vessel wall 2, so that the material, for example, the material of the vessel wall 2 or adhesive or filler material, covers the magnetic holder 10 on both the inside and outside of the vessel wall 2. The embedding can be such that essentially smooth surfaces exist on both the inside and outside; surface areas where the embedding occurs merge essentially flush with the adjacent inside and outside of the vessel wall 2, so that the embedding is not visible. The drinking straw 12 therefore rests essentially flush against the (smooth) inside of the vessel wall 2. Furthermore, the drinking vessel 1 can be cleaned as usual without the magnetic holder 10 hindering the cleaning process.Furthermore, the embedding means that the magnetic holder 10 is not visible from the outside, which may be desirable for aesthetic reasons, for example, because the drinking vessel 1 is not recognizable as an "aid". The embedding also prevents contaminants from accumulating on or around the magnetic holder 10.

[0024] In another embodiment, the magnetic holder 10 can be covered on the inside of the vessel wall 2, but be visible on the outside. This is exemplified in Fig. 7 shown. Fig. 7 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the drinking vessel 1, where the magnetic holder 10 comprises two individual magnets. The magnetic holder 10 may be visible from the outside because it protrudes from the outside or because an outer surface area of ​​the embedding protrudes from the outside (e.g., the outside has a bulge in the area of ​​the embedding). In one embodiment, the magnetic holder 10 may also be visible from the outside because it is covered by a transparent material, marked, or uncovered.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiments, the drinking straw 12 projects into the interior 14 and is held by the magnetic holder 10 on the inside of the vessel wall 2. The drinking vessel 1 and the drinking straw 12 can thus be used. When the drinking vessel 1 is not in use, it and the drinking straw 12 can be stored separately. When not in use, the drinking straw 12 can be held by the magnetic holder 10 on either the inside or outside of the vessel wall 2. The magnetic holder 10, in conjunction with Fig. 7 The aforementioned visibility of the magnetic holder 10 facilitates the positioning of the drinking straw 12 on the vessel wall 2, both during storage and use. However, visibility is not essential, as the attraction caused by the magnetic holder 10 can be felt by a person and / or the drinking straw 12 can essentially position itself due to this attraction. A marking may be helpful, however, with a very viscous liquid.

[0026] The recognizability can also be used to mark the drinking vessel 1, for example, for a person who is left- or right-handed. This can be particularly advantageous if the drinking vessel 1 has a handle 8. The in Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 The drinking vessel 1, shown in perspective, may, for example, be more usable by a person who prefers their left hand. The drinking straw 12 is then positioned on the side facing the face. Referring to the in Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 The arrangement shown can be used for a right-handed person with the magnetic holder 10 embedded opposite it in the vessel wall 2.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiments, the magnetic holder 10 is embedded such that the drinking straw 12 extends substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the rim of the vessel 16. If the magnetic holder 10 comprises individual magnets, these are embedded along the substantially straight line such that the line is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the rim of the vessel and the drinking straw 12 extends substantially perpendicular to this plane. If the magnetic holder 10 comprises the bar magnet, its longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the rim of the vessel and the drinking straw 12 extends substantially perpendicular to this plane. In another embodiment, the magnetic holder 10 can be arranged such that the drinking straw 12 extends obliquely with respect to the plane of the rim of the vessel 16.

[0028] In addition to the aforementioned embodiments, which essentially relate to the magnetic holder 10, the drinking vessel 1 can have a further feature to facilitate its use with the drinking straw 12. This further feature is, for example, in Fig. 2 This is evident and concerns an inner surface 6 of the vessel base 4. The inner surface 6 borders the interior space 14 and is designed such that it has a lowest point in the interior space 14 in an area below the magnetic holder 10. This is the area in which one end of the drinking straw 12 can be positioned, especially when there is only a small amount of liquid left in the drinking vessel 1 and it collects at or in the area of ​​the lowest point. The inner surface 6 is in Fig. 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the drinking straw 12 is inclined towards the magnetic holder 10 by an angle x; in particular, residual liquid therefore flows towards the magnetic holder 10 and can be removed through the straw 12. The angle x can, for example, be adapted to the size and shape of the end of the straw 12 so that as much residual liquid as possible can be removed. The inclined inner surface 6 is also in Fig. 1 , Fig. 5 und Fig. 6 hinted at.

[0029] The drinking straw 12 can have a substantially circular cross-section, although other cross-sectional shapes are also possible, e.g., oval or rectangular. The size of the cross-section (e.g., a diameter) can depend on the intended application. For a low-viscosity liquid, the cross-section can be relatively small; for a more viscous liquid or one mixed with food particles, a larger cross-section can be chosen. The cross-section can be substantially constant along the length of the drinking straw 12; in one embodiment, the cross-section in the area of ​​a mouthpiece can be shaped to fit the mouth. An embodiment of a drinking straw 12 with such a mouthpiece is shown, for example, in Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 shown. The drinking straw 12 shown is curved towards a person in the area in front of the mouthpiece; such a curvature is optional, but it can make use easier.

Claims

1. Drinking vessel (1) with a vessel base (4) and a vessel wall (2) extending from the vessel base (4) towards a vessel rim (16) and having an inside and an outside, wherein a plane spanned by the vessel rim (16) defines an interior space (14) between the vessel base (4) and the vessel wall (2), characterized by that a magnetic holder (10) is embedded in the vessel wall (2) and designed to exert an attractive force on a drinking straw (12) and to hold the drinking straw (12) on the inside of the vessel wall (2) in a fixed position.

2. Drinking vessel (1) according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic holder (10) comprises at least two individual magnets (10) which are spaced apart from each other and embedded in the vessel wall (2) along a straight line substantially parallel to the vessel wall (2).

3. Drinking vessel (1) according to claim 2, wherein the line is substantially perpendicular to the plane spanned by the vessel rim (16).

4. Drinking vessel (1) according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic holder (10) comprises a bar magnet (10) having a length and a width, wherein the length is greater than the width.

5. Drinking vessel (1) according to claim 4, wherein the magnet holder (10) is embedded such that a longitudinal axis of the bar magnet is substantially perpendicular to the plane spanned by the vessel rim (16).

6. Drinking vessel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetic holder (10) has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the vessel wall (2), wherein the magnetic holder (10) is completely embedded in the vessel wall (2) and surrounded by material, and wherein an outer surface area of ​​the embedding substantially merges into the outside.

7. Drinking vessel (1) according to one of claims 1 - 5, wherein the magnetic holder (10) is embedded in the vessel wall (2) such that the magnetic holder (10) is covered on the inside by material and the magnetic holder (10) or an outer surface area of ​​the embedding protrudes on the outside.

8. Drinking vessel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer side of the vessel wall (2) has a marking that marks the embedding of the magnetic holder (10).

9. Drinking vessel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel base (4) has an inner surface (6) which adjoins the interior (14), wherein the inner surface (6) has a lowest point of the interior (14) in a region below the magnetic holder (10).

10. Drinking vessel (1) according to claim 9, wherein the inner surface (6) is a substantially flat surface inclined in the direction of the magnetic holder (10).

11. Drinking vessel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an inner surface area of ​​the embedding transitions substantially flatly into the inner surface.

12. Drinking vessel (1) according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the vessel wall (2) has an elongated depression (18) on the inside, which extends substantially perpendicular to the plane spanned by the vessel rim (16) and between the interior and the magnetic holder (10), wherein the elongated depression (18) is in particular a groove.

13. Set consisting of a drinking vessel according to one of claims 1 - 12 and a drinking straw (12) which can be attracted by the magnetic holder (10).

14. Set according to claim 13, wherein the drinking straw (12) is made of a magnetizable and low-corrosion material that is food-safe.

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